~ Precious Blood ~

I feel so blessed that God has given me the high honor of being mom to Ben, Callie, and Caleb!When I look at each one of them I just sit in awe that God chose me to be their mom! Thank you sweet Lord for the blessing of children, especially these precious three that you entrusted to Matt and me. As a parent, I laugh when they laugh and hurt when they hurt. The unknown that we went through with Caleb's health issues a couple of years ago was one of those painful times as a parent. It broke my heart to see him having to go through so many tests but at the same time, his sweet spirit blessed my heart. As I sat and held Caleb on my lap one day during lab work, tears rolled down his little face as they once again stuck that big needle in his arm to draw blood. There was so much that hinged on his blood and many things would be revealed. O the blood! I prayed the whole time as I watched each vial fill up with my precious son’s blood. “Lord, please let his blood be clean!”

As we rode home from the UNC Children's Hospital that night, my thoughts turned to Mary as she sat at the foot of the cross. She watched as her son shed his blood for ALL! The pain Mary must have gone through as she watched her beloved Son’s blood run out of his body is overwhelming. That precious blood is the blood that washes clean! She knew his will but had to watch in great agony. As Jesus carried his cross up to Calvary through the crowds of people as they shouted at him, did they not realize that with every drop of blood, that blood is the very blood shed for them? His love for us, for me, is the reason he shed his blood. Never again will we have to be slave to our sin. He paid the price with his blood.

 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.”

Ephesians 1:7-8

O, the blood! Precious blood! There are many today that have heard the story of Jesus on the cross. They have heard the story of his shed blood, but do they understand the depth of love that was in the shedding of that blood? He carried the sins of us all on that cross and his blood washed them clean.

 “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.”

I Peter 1:18-21

O the blood of Jesus washes me,

O the blood of Jesus shed for me,

What a sacrifice, that saved my life,

Yes, the blood, it is my victory!

Thank you Jesus, for your blood! It is because of that sacrifice of your shed blood, your life, that I can truly live and have hope. My heart is overwhelmed by this great love! You paid the ultimate price for me, for all, and the very thought of that brings me to my knees. The blood, your blood, it is my victory!

Allison

~ It is Finished ~

Today is “Good Friday”! We all look forward to this day because school is out, we are off work for the day, and it is the beginning of our 3-day weekend! But somehow today my mind isn’t about the “day off”. It’s solely about what my Jesus was going through on that Friday. I am reading through the gospels today and the account of my precious Savior’s death. His day began standing trial as crowds of people shouted, “Crucify him!” Those same people who, just a week before, welcomed him in shouting “Hosanna” are now turning their backs on him. After sustaining such a brutal beating, carried his cross up through the raging crowds and was nailed on top of Golgotha on display for all to see. Nails in his hands and feet, a crown of thorns thrust in his skull, bitter vinegar to his parched lips, his body draining of all his precious blood.

But while on that wretched cross his thoughts were of me! My sin he bore. He took my place on that cross. It should have been me hanging there, but he paid the penalty. As he spoke his last words that day on the cross. With arms outstretched, he said, “It is finished.” He paid in full my debt as he bowed his head and died. As they pierced his side with a spear the blood and water flowed signifying his earthly death for me. Because of his great sacrifice, I can approach my God and live eternally with him escaping the penalty of my sin. Hallelujah!

“Good Friday”? Indeed it is my dear friends! The day my Savior died for me and for you! As you go about your day, turn your thoughts toward Calvary. Think about what Jesus did for you that day! His blood, his sacrifice, all for your eternal life! A love like no other! His free gift to you!

In Humble Honor,

Allison

John 17:1-5

“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

~ To Love As Christ Loved Us ~

I remember a couple of years ago making a statement on Facebook that I needed a tattoo. Now this statement continued with a heartfelt story of how God was continually reminding me that He is in control and why couldn’t I get that through my thick head. So I continued with the statement that I needed God to tattoo that truth on my heart.  Well, needless to say, when people saw the first statement they decided not to read any further because that, in itself, was juicy and caused them to gasp at the thought that I would get a tattoo.

This was brought back to my memory last night as a good friend posted the title of her blog “Slapping Her Made Me Feel Better”. Many people were quick to read the title and began sending her messages about the juicy details instead of reading her blog which in turn would let you know that she did not slap someone but wanted to in regards to this person’s uncouth comment about the grief my friend has in the loss of her son.

It saddens me that people will look for the juicy details that cause a gasp or a great topic of conversation but they won’t read any further when it begins with a powerful word from scripture.  People are also quick to read a story that is floating around but are not quick to find out if that story is true. We post it, we bad mouth, but we don’t always check our facts. We are quick to shoot down but slow to build up. We are quick to judge but slow to love, pray, and encourage. How this has burdened my heart.

If you look through pages of Facebook or Twitter, most of the comments stem from funny or seemingly random thoughts or those that invoke controversy but when it comes to the amazing truths from God’s Word people get silent. As a society we are quick to jump on the complaining bandwagon and also the ones that will make great gossip around the office “water cooler”, or should I say office “Keurig” in these modern times.  But when it comes to things of eternity such as Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, “ain’t nobody got time for that”.

Oh, my dear friends, it is of utmost importance that we begin to set our hearts and minds on God’s Word and that we “make time for that”!  Remember, this world is not our home we are just passing through.

 

Today, we celebrate what is known as “Maundy Thursday”.  The name comes from the Latin “mandatum” which is the first word in the Latin translation of John 13:34. “A new commandment (mandatum novum) I give to you …” This commandment was given by Jesus on the Thursday before His crucifixion. So Maundy Thursday is the “Thursday of the Commandment.” Christ gave his life for us and because of that love and sacrifice I will spend eternity with him.  He has commanded us to love as he has loved. What we do, what we say, what we post on social media, can make a difference in someone’s life for all eternity.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34

Christ loved and that made a difference in my life for all eternity!

What are you going to do today to make a difference in someone else’s life for eternity?

~ New Things are Blooming ~

I decided to give my blog a fresh spring look!

For those of you that are regulars to my blog, please leave me a comment and tell me what you have enjoyed or maybe some things that you would like to see. Also, please share my blog with your friends and Facebook community. My desire is to grow closer to Christ every day and share his love with others. As God has begun to open more doors to expand my writing, I really would love to hear from you as we draw closer to our God.

Thank you for your love and encouragement as you have followed my journey and I look forward to the amazing things God has in store!

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

~ Be Strong and Courageous ~

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 (NLT)

This is not a suggestion, this is not just good advice...this is a COMMAND!

Praise God that He is with me wherever I go! Standing in his strength today!

Can I get an "Amen"??

Obedience takes Action

How serious are we when we tell God that we will obey him and do his will? We have to remember that obedience requires action. Where there is no action, there is no obedience.

~ Here I Am, Lord...Send Me ~

That moment when you realize that God is up to something big and that He has called YOU to it.......humbled, trusting, waiting, praying, believing!

"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns."

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope."

Psalm 130:5 (NIV)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take."

Proverbs 3:5- 6 (NLT)

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” 

Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

~ God's Amazing Love ~

Wow! Don't you just love how the Word of God is so powerful? 

All throughout the pages of scripture are treasures so immense that no wealth on this earth could ever compare! The most exciting thing about it all is that it is ours for the taking! Every promise, every treasure, every Word is ours! Praise The Lord! But you will never receive every blessing that lies within if you don't open it and grab hold. 

Let me start your Friday off with this spectacular treasure from God's Word.....

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 8:37-39 (NLT)

Now if that doesn't make you want to shout "Hallelujah" then you may need to check your pulse!

Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ Jesus! NOTHING can ever separate us from the love of God! Alright, dear children of God, victory is yours today! 

How does that out things in perspective?

For those of us that are alive in Christ, we have so much to praise our Lord for! Let's celebrate that precious truth today!

~ Devoting Myself to Prayer ~

Good morning! 

I know my blog has been rather silent over the last week and it's by no accident. I developed a stomach virus early last week and I was down again!  Shew! I do believe that I have a magnet for viruses this year and I even asked my doctor the other day for a giant bubble that I could inhabit for a while to get a reprieve from illness. Lol! But can you believe that there are no such things? In this day and age when we can cure certain forms of cancer, transfer someone else's bodily organs into another human being, and even use pig valves to keep a human's heart pumping, we have not yet invented a protective barrier to keep people from getting sick. I guess we are not as far advanced as I thought. Haha!

As I was healing through this latest illness, I felt The Lord calling me to a time of prayer and study without the distractions from things such as social media. So, I took some time and fasted from certain areas of my life for several days to focus all attention on the One I most adore! 

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)

In trying to remain transparent here, I have to admit it hasn't all been sweet fellowship. I've, ashamedly, had my moments of whining and complaining and bearing my soul asking God for a time of "smooth sailing". You know what I mean here? A time when all my trials and challenges can just go away, I can breathe easily, and life is that fairy tale we see in a beautiful Disney classic. Yes, yes, I know. Sounds pitiful and pathetic, huh? That is why I am the child and HE is my Father!

Oh, how thankful I am for my God! He loves me in spite of my pathetic, complaining self and does so without hesitating. In my conversations and study with him, he has comforted my soul and shown me that though life is hard, He is all I need to get through. He has reminded me that by allowing the difficulty of those trials and challenges to outweigh the lesson in the midst of them, it has clouded my view. There is so much he wants me to get out of these situations. This verse was such a wake up call to me this morning:

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

Romans 12:12 NIV)

It was as if those words jumped off the pages of scripture this morning right into my soul! 

I was forgetting to focus on the joy of my hope in him! I am to be patient in theses times of trial! I am to remain faithful in prayer to my God! 

My dear friends, THAT is why HE is GOD and I am NOT!

So, today my focus is regained in the beauty of this journey! I don't have to love the trial but I sure do love my God in the midst of this trial! 

He is all I need! He is all I want! My God forevermore!